Free Expression Week continues this Saturday with the first international solo exhibition of China-born political cartoonist and artist Badiucao.

Pussy Riot, Joshua Wong, Sampson Wong,

Two members of feminist Russian punk band Pussy Riot will attend the public opening, along with Hong Kong democracy activist Joshua Wong and local political artist Sampson Wong. All will join a special Q&A on free expression, art, politics and LGBT rights.

Portraits of political leaders, exhibits of torture equipment, and iconic Hong Kong neon are blended together to reconstruct metaphors anew. “Gongle” paints a suffocating reality as Badiucao’s biting cartoons find a physical form at his debut exhibition. It is through this hyperbole and piercing satire where purposeful misrepresentation can find new forms of expression.

About Badiucao:

Badiucao uses his art to challenge censorship and dictatorship in China. He believes that, in the absence of free speech and democracy, history is constantly being tampered with. By confronting the official record, he uses art and the internet to deconstruct the arrogance and authority of dictatorship. Badiucao aims to create a building block to spark individual awakening.

About Gongle:

Gongle is a black comedy for Hong Kong, China and the world. It touches on themes of authority and free speech at a time when free expression is under fire. “Gongle” is a play on words about Google’s effort to re-enter China with a censored search engine. It sounds like “共” in Chinese – the short term for the Communist Party – “共产党.” Google’s Chinese name – “谷歌” – is altered to “共歌.” The character “歌” means “singing” or “song.” Thus, “共歌” literally means “communist songs” or “singing for communism”. It can also mean “singing together” – a metaphor for free expression.

About Pussy Riot:

Founded in 2011, Pussy Riot are a Russian feminist protest punk rock group. They are known for their unauthorised guerrilla, public performances and for their advocacy of LGBT rights and opposition to President Putin.

Cartoon: Badiucao.

About Joshua Wong:

Joshua Wong is a Hong Kong activist and politician. He is the secretary-general of pro-democracy group Demosisto and is known for his student activism and role in the 2014 Umbrella Movement.

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